62 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



Found in most of the southern, midland, and eastern 

 counties, being commonest in Norfolk (Norfolk Plover). 



Plumage. — Irides large and yellow ; upper parts 

 mottled with dark and light brown ; white bar on wings. 

 Throat and stripe under eye white ; under parts buff 

 streaked with dark brown. Bill black at tip ; yellowish 

 green at base. Knee-joint rather large (hence Thick- 

 knee). Legs and feet yellow. Length i6 in. Female 

 similar. Young, duller, and more barred on tail. 

 Nestling : mottled with sandy grey and pale brown ; 

 black stripe each side of head and down centre of back ; 

 legs bluish grey. 



Language. — A loud tremulous wailing cry, especially 

 at night ; rather silent by day. 



Habits. — Semi-nocturnal. It runs very swiftly. When 

 the nest is in danger the parent at once quietly runs 

 away, sometimes feigning injury, or squatting motionless 

 with neck extended where its plumage harmonizes with 

 the ground, and is very difficult to see. The young 

 always do the same if frightened. Gregarious in winter. 

 Flight strong, with legs stretched out behind. 



Food. — Insects, beetles, worms, and slugs ; also mice, 

 frogs, and reptiles. 



Nest. — May. Probably two broods. 



Site. — On the ground, among pebbles or stones. 



Materials. — Perhaps a few grasses. 



Eggs. — Two. Buff or clay-colour, spotted, streaked, 

 and blotched with dark brown and bluish grey. 



WHIMBREL {Numenius phceopus). 



A well-distributed though not common visitor to our 

 shores in spring and autumn. Breeds only on the Shet- 

 lands and Orkneys. 



